Module 8 Activity 9: Cellphones in the Classroom

A cellphone is one of the easiest technological device to use and also one of the most popular one among students.
It is and can be a useful teaching tool which can be used by students for constructively communicating with each other and with teachers. Through texting,  tweeting, bbm messaging, whatsApp messages, voice messaging and sending emails the teacher can send reminders, ask and answer questions and send responses to students using the cell phone. The speed and convenience of this method is welcomed by most students and aids in the teaching and learning process. Students can also engage in using the cellphone to carry out research on a topic as they access immediate information from the www.

In schools in Antigua ans Barbuda, cellphones are not allowed in the classroom. They must not be seen and not heard and there is ongoing debate about its use in the classroom.

However since I am aware of the value of cellphone use in the classroom, i have been bending the rule by allowing students to use their cellphones in my class. To do this I had to establish a set of rules which are
1. the cellphone MUST be used in the Art room and the Art room only when given permission by the teacher.
2. It MUST be used for research purposes only, researching only the topic being studied in the class at that time.
3. The teacher reserves the right to ask any student to see their cellphone screen while using them in the Artroom
4. If any student is caught breaking Rule #2 above, s/he will be asked to put away the phone and be punished.

This has been working effectively in my classroom. In addition I allow fifth form students to send me images of their work in progress using whatsApp message platform so that I can critique their work while they are working on it at home.
The bottom line is that clear cut rules and regulations must be put in place and the teacher must engage the students in positive use of the devices so that they can see just how powerful a learning tool it is and how to use it positively.

Below is an image of students in my class using the cellphone as a research tool during an exercise.

Module 8 Activity 8: Managing Social Networking - managing e-Safety

e-Safety refers to the safe and responsible use of technology and in particular the internet. It is about safeguarding children and young people in the digital world and teaching them how to understand and use  internet technologies in a positive way.
Each school should establish e-safety policy and the set of rules in this policy must be crafted in a positive, child friendly and easy to read and understand manner so that they can relate to it and feel comfortable implementing the rules.

Below are a set of child friendly e-safety rules

http://alexmercerportfolio.wikispaces.com/file/view/Esafety_rules.JPG/132764185/523x325/Esafety_rules.JPG

Module 8 Activity 7: Tablet Devices in the Classroom

Tablet devices are portable handheld machines which engage students/users with diverse learning abilities and which can be used by the teacher to produce a variety of effective learner experiences.
They are visually engaging and stimulating teaching tools which the teacher can use to create individualized learning curriculum focusing on individual students rather than producing a whole class learning experience where some are left behind. with the appropriate apps applied, the students are free to work at different paces in the same class with the same teacher.
Learning with the tablet is termed "mobile learning" and it is simply removing the learning from the traditional classroom allowing the students to learn where ever possible. No longer is it confined to a classroom or behind a desk listening to the teacher.
The use of tablets promotes the practice of Authentic learning and improves project-based learners.

Module 8 Activity 6: One-to-One Learning

One-to-one learning means putting a computer ( a PC, laptop, tablet pc) into the hands of every students so that they can work independently whether in the classroom or at home.

Using this practice, students tend to be highly engaged in their lessons as they work in teams, access and submit assignments and carry out research which leads to more participation in class. 

It also enables the teacher to  use a variety of techniques to teach the content of their subject area and the teacher is also  able to keep abreast of each students' progress through online assessment tools as s/he integrates  online content and learning resources into the curriculum as they expand learning beyond the classroom.

However, it has its down side. Students in a one-to-one learning environment can become distracted from learning and focus on other aspects of using the computer such as playing games, visiting social media sites, surfing the internet and watching and downloading videos.

It is imperative that teachers instill in students  that they must use the tool effectively and appropriately for the enhancement of their learning.